Artificial-teeth articulator.



M. WEISS.

ARTIFICIAL TEETH ARTICULATOR.

APPLIUATION rILzn JULY 19, 1911.

Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

3 SHBBTSSHEBT 1.

M. WEISS.

ARTIFICIAL TEETH ARTIGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

1,022,055. Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

M. WEISS.

ARTIFICIAL TBBTH ARTIGULATOB.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

1 ,4022,055. Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

3 wow n fo/L MARCELINO WEISS, OF HABANA, CUBA.

ABTIFICIAL-TEETH ARTICULATOR.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application led July 19, 1911.

Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

serial No. 639,274.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARCELINO IVEIss, a citizen of the Republic of Cuba, residing at Habana, Island of Cuba, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial-Teeth Articulators, of which the following isy a specification.

My invention relates to dental articulators, and the object of my invention is to provide an instrument of this kind, in which all the natural movements of the human lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, including the movement of semi-rotation, can be easily performed.

To thisend my new apparatus is so constructed that it consists of two main parts, one part being stationary and representing the upper jaw, and the other part being movable and representing the lower jaw, the two parts being yieldingly connected by resilient means so that the movable part can easily perform all the natural movements of the lower jaw relative to the upyer jaw. To these two parts holding memers for the plaster casts are removably secured, and means are provided whereby the movable part can be temporarily fixed in a position representing the maximum open ing of the jaws, which will permit the dentist to use both his hands freely in working en the plaster casts.

In order to give a better conception-of my invent-ion, I have illustrated an embodiment thereof in the annexed drawings in which Figure 1, isa side view of myv new apparatus showing the part representing the lower jaw in i,two different positions; Fig. 2 is a top view showing also the exchangeable holding members intended to carry thel plaster-cast; Fig. 3 is an under view of the two main parts of my apparatus; Fig. 4 is a front view showing the part representing the lower jaw in two different positions; Fig. 5 is a section taken in the plane of the line 5-5 `ol:'.Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 is a section taken in the plane ofthe line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

In all the figures the same reference nu- *merals are used to designate like parts.`

-The two principal parts in my apparat-us are marked 1 and 2 respectively.` 1 is a fixed or stationary part representing the upper jaw, the'part being shown in the drawlngs as one piece. 2 is the movable part representing the lower jaw, shown in the drawing as comprising two arms `rigidly connected by a cross piece 3, whereby the arms are held in lixed relative posit-ions. To the arms of the movable part 2, are removably secured brackets 4, intended to hold an exchangeable arch-shaped member 5, (Fig. 2), whlch member is supposed tohold the plaster-cast for the lower set of teeth, the said plaster-cast representing the lower mandible. The member 5, is provided in its ends with sockets to lit the studs 6, formed on the lower ends of the brackets 4. The latter are recessed on the inner sides to receive the arms of the part 2, which arms act as guides for the brackets, as t-he latter are adjusted along the arms. For the purpose of adjustment, the brackets are provided each with a slot 7, through which passes a clampin screw 8, which is screwed into each armo the movable part 2. After the loosening of the screws 8, the brackets 4 can be easily adjusted along-their respective arms and when the screws 8 are entirely 'unscrewed, the brackets 4 can be removed. The arch-shaped member 5, supported by the brackets 4, is removably secured in place by clamping screws 9, so that it can be easily taken ofi' and replaced or exchanged.

Projecting from the part l, and connected therewith, 1s a fixed support marked 10, which is tapped to receive a thumb-screw 11, intended to clamp" to said support a yoke 12, provided with two fingers 13, 14, which are shaped to fit 4into sockets of an archshaped member 15, (Fig. 2) which is supposed to hold t-he plaster-cast for the upper set of teeth the said plaster-cast representing the upper mandible. The yoke 12 has an open slot 16, which permits the yoke to be adjusted back and forth on its fixed support 10. The plaster-cast carried by the lower holding member 5, is marked A and the plaster-cast carried by the upper holding member 15, is marked B.

The fixed or stationary part 1 is carried on a stem 17, which, at its upper end, passes through the center of the part 1 and at its lower end is provided with a ball 18. The ball may be clamped between two clamping jaws 19, 20 on the base 21, shown in Fig. 1. The jaw 19- is a fixed and the jaw 20 a movable jaw as clearly seen in Fig. 1. The movable jaw 20 is clamped around the ball 18, bymeans of a thumb screw 22, which 4passes through the shaft of the movable jaw and is screwed into the lower portion of the .fixed jaw 19. Both jaws are provided withI spherical cavities to fit the shape ofthe ball 18 on/the lower end of the stem 17.' .It is f clear that when the movable jaw 20, 1s released by the unscrewin out the'rthumb screw 22, the stem 17 can e easily tilted in all directions at any desired angle 'relative to the horizontal, as will be most convenient to the dentist.

The' most'important feature of my 'new apparatus lies in the construction, arrangement and coperation of the two principal parts 1 and 2, so that all the natural articullar movements including the movements of ante-version and retro-version'can be easily imitated and thus the correct mutual relationship of the teeth of the upper and lower jaw and their true equilibrium established.

This object I attain in the manner hereafter each formed like a knuckle 24, which knuckle represents the condyle of the inferior maxillary bone. AThe condyle 'is the so-'called articular surface of the inferior temporo-maxillary articulation. Consequently, any desired up and down, sidewise and rotative, movement, as well as a slight back and forwardfmovement can b'e 1mparted to the movable part 2, relative to the fixed part 1.

In order to guide the movements of the movable part 2, and hold the latter in its` normal position, after it has been previously adjusted, as will be later described, the following vmeans are'provided. In` addition to the cross-piece 3, the two arms of the movable part 2 are connected' by a second crossypiece 25, which has 'fastened to it two Vnarrow guide plates 26, 27, each provided with aslot 28,29 respectively, through each of which slots passes loosely a pin or screw3U, 31 respectively, secured lin the fixed part 1. (See Figs. 2 and 3*). f

In order to hold-the movable part 2, in its normal position there are provided twor coiled steel springs 32, 33, -which are fastened to and coiled around angular studs 34, 35, secured to `lugs 36, 37, fixed by screws 38, 39, on the fixed part 1. The free endsof these coiled springs bear` against the two arms-of the movable part 2, tending to hold the latter in its normal position relative to the fixed part 1. By normal position, I

means the position in which both sets of,v teeth supported by the holding members and 15 occupy .their proper relative positions as the real teeth would in the mouth of the wearer. The action of the coiled steel springs 32, 33, is assisted by two pairsof tension' springs 40, 41 and 42, 43 respectively. The springs 40, 41 arev fastened with,

their one end to the ends of a rod 44, which l is secured in a knob 45, formedintegral with, or secured to the fixed part l. With their other end the springs 40, 41 are hooked to prongs 46, 47, projecting from the two arms of themovable part 2. The other two springs 42 and 43 are fastened with their one end to the said rod 44, and their other end to the cross piece 25. To permit the latter to keep clear of the stem 17 during the Various movements of the movable part 2, it has an off-set 48 intermediate its ends, as clearly seen-in Figs. 2 and 3.

From the foregoing description lit will be.

seen that the'movable part 2, can be easily moved in all directions, as the knuckleshaped upper extremities of the two arms of the movable part 2, more in the cavities`23, at the ends of the fixed part 1, on they principle of the ball and socket oint. The springs including the coiled steel springs 32, 33, are not strong enough to interfere with the easy movements of the part 2, but

are strong enough to normally hold it in the position shown in full lines in Fig. l.

In order to hold the movable part 2, against the action of the springs in. the positionindicated in Fig. 1 by the dash and dot lines, which positionallows the dentist to work freely with both hands in th(` arrangement of the teeth on the plaster-cast A, there issgfastened to the stem 17 a small bushing 49, through which passes a pin 50, projecting with its free tapered end beyond theA upper end of the bushing 49 in which itis held in this position by a spring 52, surrounding the pin inside the said bushing. At its lower end'the pin is provided with aeknurled buttn 51, whereby it can be retracted against thefaction of the spring. In the position of the movable part 2, indicated by the dash and dot lines in Fig. 1, the projecting tapered end of the pin 50 can be seen to enter a yoke-shaped part 53 formed on, or secured to the cross-piece 3, connecting .the two arms of thernovable part 2.

f The lattervis thus held against the act-ion of the springs. This position is the maximum opening of the part 2, relative tp the fixed 1, a plate 54, of concave or convex shape so ,laol

as to fit the shape of the cavity. These `plates 54, form the actual bearing surfaces for the knuckles at the. upper ends of the two arms of the movablev art` 2. Against the backs of said plates 54, ear the ends of set-screws 55, which are screwed into the ends of the fixed part 1, as clearly seen in Fig. 1. By the turning of these screws, therefore, the plates 54 can be moved away from t-he bottom 'of the cavities 23 in which they are placed, and as the knuckles shaped ends of the two arms of the movable part 2 bear againstthe plates 54, the angle at which the teeth arranged on the two plastercasts A and B meet can be changed, and all irregularities occuring in the jaws of the person for whom the artificial teeth are intended, can be accurately taken care of. Thus, a perfect fit of the artificial teeth can be secured.

As indicated by the dash and dot lines in Figs. 3 and 4, the movable part 2, carrying the brackets 4, for supporting, by means of the holding member 5, the plaster-cast A, can be shifted at will in all directions and I yalso backwardly and forwardly, as actually occurs with the under jaw, when a person is eating. These movements are permitted by the fact that the 4two arms of the movable part 2, are provided at their upper endswith knuckles corresponding in shape to the-condyles of the inferior maxillary bone, which knuckles move easily and freely in the cavities 23 of the fixed part 1, which cavities correspond in shape to the glenoid cavities ingthe temporal bones in the skull of the human being. In my apparatus, the articular movements ofr t-he lower jaw relative to the upperv jaw are perfectly reproduced, true to nature. Hence a set of artificial teeth can be accurately andexactlv fitted in a manner which has never been ac-4 complished before. The base Q1 which" carries the clamping )aws 19, 20 and clamping screw 22, for holdfing the stem 17, is made heavy so that it will form a secure support.

While I have described my new apparatus in connection with all the details shown in the drawings, Iexpressly state that I do not intend to be limited to the exact construction as shown and described, asI obviously many modifications can be made without departing from the scope of my invention. 4 1

I claim:

1. In a dental articulator a stationary l part representing the upper jaw and pro- -vided with two cavities, a movable part representing the lower jaw and provided with knuckle-shaped ends fitting said cavities and freely movable therein, resilient means yieldinglyconnecting said two parts, and means on said parts adapted to hold the plaster casts.

2. In a dental articulator, a stationary part representing the upper jaw and provided with two cavities, a movable part representing the lower jaw and provided with knuckle-shaped ends fitting said cavities, resilient means yieldingly connecting said two parts, a holding member removably secured to said stationar part,` brackets adjustably secured to sait' movable part, and a holding member removably secured to said brackets, both said holding members adapted to hold the plaster casts.

3. In a dental articulator a stationary part representing the upper jaw and provided with two cavities, a movable part represent-ing the lower jaw and provided with knuckle-shaped ends fitting said cavities, resilient means yieldingly connect-ing the said two parts, a support adjustably secured to said stationary part, brackets adjustably secured to said movable part, and a holding member fitted to each said support and said brackets for carrying the plaster casts, and mea-ns for'removably securing said holding members to said support and said brackets.

4. In a dental articulator a stationary part representing the upper jaw and pro- "ided with two cavities, a movable part represent-ing the' lower jawand provided with knuckle-shaped ends fitting said cavities, and helical springs connecting said two parts, and means on said two parts for holdlng the plaster casts.

5. In a dental articulator a stationary part representing the upper jaw and provided with two cavities, a movable part representing the lower jaw and provided with knuckle-shaped ends fitting said cavities, Iesilient means yieldingly connecting said two parts, means on said two arts for holding the plaster casts, and coile s rings arranged on .said stationary part and caring against said movable part to hold the same in its normal position relative to said stationary part.

6. In a dental articulator a stationary part representing the upper 'aw and provided with two cavities, a mova le part representing the lower jaw and provided with knuckle-shaped ends fitting said cavities, resilient means ieldingly connecting the said two parts, ho ding members on said parts for carryin the plaster casts, small curved plates loose y mounted. in said cavities and orming the articular bearing surfaces for the` knuckle-shaped ends of said movable part.

7. In a dental articulator a stationary par-t representing the upper 'aw and provided with two cavities, a Inova le part representing the lower jaw and providedwith knuckle-shaped endsftting said cavities, re-

silient means yieldingly connecting the said two parts, holdin members on said parts for carrying the p aster casts, small curved representing the `with two cavities,

knuckle-shaped ends fitting said cavities, rey silient means yieldingly connecting said two parts, holding members, adapted to be attached to said parts to carry the plaster casts, small curvedplates loosely mounted in said cavities and forming the articular bearing surfaces for the knuckle-shaped ends of said movable part, and set screws .passing through said stationary part and bearing against the back of said curved plates for varying the position thereof, at a greater or smallerdistance from the bottom of said cavities.

9. In a .dental articulator a stationary part upper jaw and provided a movable part representing the lower jaw and provided with knuckle-shaped ends to {it said cavities, resilient means yieldingly connecting said two parts, holding members adapted to be attached to said parts for carrying the plaster casts, and means independent of the said two parts for securing the said movable part in a position corresponding to the maximum opening of the jaws.

10. In a dental articulator a stationary part representing the upper jaw and provided with two cavities, a movable art representingthe lower jaw and provi ed'with knuckle-shaped ends fitting said cavities, re-` silient means yieldingly connecting said two parts, holding members adapted to be attached to said partsfor carrying the plaster casts, a base, and a stem extending therefrom for supporting said stat-ional y part.

11. In a dentalarticulator a' stationary p art representing thel upper jaw and provided with two cavities7 a movable part rep- `resenting the lowermjaw andy rovidedr-with knuckle-shaped endsV fitting said 4cavities,f\re

silient means yieldingly connecting said-.two parts, holding members adapted to` be adjustably attached to said parts for carrying the plastercasts, a base, a stem extending therefrom for su porting said stationary part, and means or securing the stem to said base at any desired angle thereto.

12. In a dentalv articulatorfa stationary part representing the upper jaw and provided with two cavities, a movable part representing the lower jaw ,and provided with knuckle-shaped ends fitting said cavities, resilient means yieldingly'connecting said two parts, a stem for supporting said stationary part and provided at its lowerend with a ball, a vided on said base to receive the ball at the lower end of the stem and means-for clamping saidjaws around said ball.

13. In a dental articulator an integral stationary part representing the upperjaw and provided with two cav-ities, a movable part representing the lower jaw and comosed of two arms each provided with a muckle-,shaped end fitting one of .said cavities, a cross-piece rigidly connecting the said arms, resilient means yieldingly connecting said two parts, and holding members adapted to be attached to said parts for carrying the plaste'rcasts.

14. In a dental articulator an integral stationary part representing the upper-jaw and provided with two cavities, a movable part representingthe lower jaw and composed of two `arms rigidly connected', each arm having a knuckle-shaped end fitting one of said cavities and freely movable' therein, guiding plates provided on said movable art and pins on said stationary part passing loosely through slots in said guide plates.l v

In testimony whereof I aHiX my signature in presenceoftwo witnesses.-

MARCELINO w'iiivss.

f Witnesses: l

ALFRED MULLER,

P A. I-IoYER;

base carrying said stem, jaws pro- 

